Murray Avenue Students Go Through Ellis Island Simulation

Murray Avenue sixth-graders brought their lesson to life on Friday during the school’s annual Ellis Island Simulation. Students were transported back in time to experience life as an immigrant arriving in the United States in the late 1880s through the early 1900s.

The Murray Avenue School cafeteria was transformed into Ellis Island, where students dressed the part representing many countries of origin. Students began their journey by disembarking the “boat” onto Ellis Island. Teachers and staff became inspectors and doctors as the immigrants made their way through the various stations at “Ellis Island,” which included medical examinations and interviews with inspector generals. During the experience, students faced challenges and long waits, some were even deported.

“It’s really confusing, it’s really hard getting here,” said one sixth-grader, who was representing an immigrant coming from Lithuania.

Students could create a character from their studies of immigrants’ experiences or take the identity of a family member who arrived in America through Ellis Island before it closed in 1954. Carrying suitcases or bags containing a few carefully selected belongings, dressed in costume to reflect their country of origin and speaking with the appropriate accent, the immigrants-for-a-day were greeted by the ship’s captain who checked their names against the ship’s roster and issued each one a matching name tag. Those who “passed” inspection were moved onto the next step in the process, which eventually led to each taking a loyalty oath.

“This shows how our country became so diversified,” said School Board President Dr. Murray Cohen, who portrayed and “Administrator Director” during the simulation. “This authentic experience really helps the students understand the traumatic process the immigrants went through at Ellis Island.”

Sixth-grade teacher, Diana Sullivan, who started the Murray Avenue simulation more than 30 years ago said, “It never gets old.” “When we started it all those years ago, so many of our students knew family members who had come through Ellis Island, it was so real for them. We want to keep this experience authentic. We want them feeling nervous because that’s how it was.”

The simulation was followed by a trip to Ellis Island on Monday. Students took a ferry to Ellis Island, where they learned more about the immigrant experience through a variety of exhibits. Students also visited Liberty Island, getting an up close look at the Statue of Liberty.

“When we visit Ellis Island the kids have a better experience because they went through it themselves,” said sixth-grade teacher Laura Metzger. “They can appreciate it all the more because it puts them in it.”